Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Democrat BevPerdue agreed today to five debates with Republican Pat McCrory. For McCrory, that's not enough.

Perdue's campaign said she'll debate five times starting June 21 in Atlantic Beach before the N.C. Bar Association. The other debates are spread out, ending with an Oct. 15 face-off in Charlotte.

"We've agreed to five debates, it's more than any recent gubernatorial campaign in North Carolina," says Perdue spokesman David Kochman. "It provides a very aggressive schedule and good opportunity for voters to hear about the candidates."

“Pat has agreed to debate anywhere and everywhere,” he says. “Let’s get on with the discussion of the issues so the voters of North Carolina can make an educated choice for the person to lead this state.”

McCrory questioned why Perdue didn't list events sponsored by the N.C. Press Association and the N.C. Association of Broadcasters. Kochman said she'll be at the press association event, though it's not a debate.

As for the broadcasters' gathering, he said, "We've accepted five debates. Unfortunately we can't accept every invitation that comes our way."

Dr. Munger was invited weeks ago to attend the debate at Queens University in Charlotte ... even before he was the official nominee of the Libertarian Party. Why hasn't he been included in these other debates?

Once again, Democratic-Republican duopoly has conspired to exclude the Libertarian Party from these so-called debates. We jumped through all the hoops the state requires, spent $130,000 to gather the 70,000 verified signatures needed to qualify as a political party in NC, and have an outstanding, well qualified candidate in Dr. Mike Munger, chair of the political science department at Duke University.

The hosts for these eventsshould respect NC voters enough to invite all the qualified candidates for governor to the debates, so the people can get a clear and complete picture of what all the candidates have to offer.

The people are entitled to hear a candidate address the real issues facing our state, instead of patented answers to the softball questions the moderators are likely to gently toss to the establishment candidates.

The Journalist's Creed, written by Walter Williams in 1906 states that "the journalism which succeeds the best...seeks to give every man a chance." Why then has Libertarian candidate Mike Munger not been invited to these televised debates?